Chapter 35: An Apology from Fleur
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER. IT BELONGS TO JK ROWLING.
A/N: Read, enjoy, and remember not to take either life or my writing too seriously.
Several days after the second task had been canceled, Harry and Hermione were once again sitting together at breakfast in the Great Hall. Between discussing a Transfiguration assignment and exchanging occasional smiles—and the occasional quick kiss—they were enjoying a quiet morning.
Suddenly a pale blue sleeve reached between them and placed a wand on the table.
Both Harry and Hermione instantly grabbed their own wands and looked up.
Standing beside the table was Fleur Delacour.
"Mademoiselle Granger," Fleur said softly. "I have come to apologize. I place my wand here so you know I mean no harm. It is up to you whether you return it to me."
Hermione studied the Beauxbatons champion carefully before responding.
"I'm listening."
Fleur forced herself to maintain eye contact.
"I… treated you and Monsieur Potter badly after the Yule Ball. I believed I could steal your boyfriend's affection. I never considered—nor cared to consider—your feelings or his."
She paused, her eyes growing slightly moist.
"Because of you, I have spent much time thinking about many things. People say you are the smartest witch in the school."
"I wouldn't—" Hermione began.
"But everyone else would," Harry said casually.
Hermione blushed.
Fleur nodded thoughtfully.
"Then you understand the danger of having power. When someone has the ability to do something, it becomes easy to believe they have the right to do it."
Hermione nodded slowly.
"I'm very familiar with that concept. In the Muggle world, a historian named Lord Acton once said something famous about it: Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
"Exactly," Fleur said.
"My abilities allow me to influence people, and I abused that gift. I would like to believe I am becoming a better person now. I see how much your boyfriend loves you… and I want someone who will care for me like that—without my powers influencing them. Something genuine."
Hermione examined Fleur's expression closely, searching for dishonesty.
After a long moment, she spoke.
"Miss Delacour, what you did was extremely wrong. A simple apology isn't enough to erase it. However… I believe you are sincere about wanting to change."
Fleur looked relieved.
"Thank you."
Hermione glanced at the wand lying on the table.
"But your apology shouldn't be limited to me."
She picked up the wand.
"I will give this to your Headmistress. I will request that she only return it when both you and another student—Michelle, I believe—come together to ask for it."
Fleur started to protest.
"But my studies—"
She stopped, thinking it over.
She glanced toward the Ravenclaw table where the Beauxbatons students sat watching her.
Finally she nodded.
"That is fair."
Hermione added calmly,
"And if I hear that you attack them using your Veela abilities, I will teach them the spell I used on you."
Fleur nodded again.
She turned to leave, then paused and asked quietly,
"One question… if the fourth champion slaps my derrière again, may I transform into a Veela and attack him?"
"Ron?" Hermione asked.
"Yes."
Hermione considered.
"As long as you don't kill him."
Fleur looked briefly disappointed.
Later that day Hermione visited the Beauxbatons carriage. She spoke with Madame Maxime and Michelle, asking them to judge Fleur by her efforts to improve rather than by past behavior.
Three weeks later Hermione saw Michelle and Fleur walking together and talking amicably.
When they noticed Hermione, Fleur raised her wand with a smile.
Hermione returned the smile and continued on to class.
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